Achraf Hakimi, a defender for Paris Saint-Germain, has stated he will “allow the truth to emerge publicly” after being informed that he will stand trial for an alleged rape.
The allegation, made by a woman who was 24 at the time, dates back to February 2023, when she claimed the Moroccan international assaulted her at his home in southeastern Paris.
“Today, merely the accusation of rape is sufficient to justify a trial,” Hakimi, who denies all allegations, wrote on X. “This is unjust for both the innocent and the real victims. I await this trial calmly, as it will bring the truth to light.”
Both Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, and the prosecutor from Nanterre in Paris have confirmed to French media that a trial has been scheduled.
Rachel-Flore Pardo, representing the plaintiff, expressed that her client welcomed the decision to proceed to trial “with relief,” saying it “is entirely in line with the evidence presented in the case.”
Hakimi was initially charged with rape in March 2023. In the French legal framework, preliminary charges indicate that judges have substantial reasons to suspect a crime has occurred but require more investigation before deciding on proceeding to trial.
Colin stated, “A trial has been ordered based solely on the testimony of a woman who has hindered all investigations, declined medical examinations and DNA tests, not shared her mobile phone, and has not identified a crucial witness.”
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Colin also claimed that two successive psychological evaluations of the plaintiff indicated “a lack of clarity regarding the claims she is making, along with the absence of any post-traumatic symptoms.”
Pardo commented that while the judicial process in this case has been exemplary, “the broader handling of this situation serves as a reminder that there are still environments where the Me Too movement has not yet made significant impact, particularly in men’s professional football.”
When asked at a news conference on Tuesday about whether Hakimi’s case would affect the team or his position as vice-captain ahead of the match against Monaco, PSG coach Luis Enrique responded, “This matter is in the hands of the justice system.”
Additional information was contributed by the Associated Press.